Manchán Magan’s widow Aisling Rogerson has proudly collected her late husband’s posthumous An Post Irish Book Award.
The broadcaster and author died at the age of 55 in October after a hard-fought battle with prostate cancer.
As she accepted the Best Irish-Published Book of the Year award for Manchán’s work Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun), Aisling told those gathered at the Convention Centre in Dublin how she wished she could have done it as gaeilge, as that is his legacy.
Manchán Magan in An Fód Deireanach. Pic: RTE
According to RTÉ, Aisling added: ‘For such a simple book in its essence, it represents so much more than 100 words.
‘It’s really a shining example of the interest at the moment in the revival of the Irish language that is so powerfully present right now.’
Miriam O’Callaghan hosting the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards in Dublin. Pic: Patrick Bolger
Aisling and Manchán, who had been together for 11 years, tied the knot just weeks before his death in a ceremony at St James’ Hospital.
Manchán’s brother Ruán spoke of the wedding at his funeral, saying: ‘We were very touched… The porters in James’s created a bridal suite for them, with flowers and champagne, non-alcoholic, and all sorts of gorgeous things.’
Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) by Manchán Magan
Aisling also spoke at the funeral service, telling those gathered how she fell in love with her husband.
She recalled how Manchán had gifted her a copy of his book Angels and Rabies when they first met, marking page 255 to be read.
Pic wildatlanticseaweedbaths/Instagram
‘It was his way of saying, “I’m not asking for your number, but here I am, this is me, and take your time,”‘ she said. ‘By the time I finished the book, I was already madly in love.’
Manchán won the Best Irish-Published Book of the Year award alongside illustrator Megan Luddy at the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards and other big winners on the night included GP Claire Gleeson, who was named Best Newcomer.